Tournament To Be Held At The Globe

Men United v Prostate Cancer - making history at Morecambe Football Club

Morecambe Football Club have today announced the hosting of a three team tournament on Sunday, September 7thwith net proceeds from the day donated to Prostate Cancer UK.

HISTORY will be made when Shanghai Clever FC take the field as the first team registered in China to play at a Football League ground in England.The Shanghai Clever Football club is a football team registered with the Shanghai Football Association, founded by one of the most famous Chinese footballing superstars Fan Zhiyi and philanthropic football devotee Mr Yan Yanjie. The team is comprised of ex-professional football players, many of whom were Chinese football stars, players such as Fan Zhiyi, Zhu Qi, Liu Jun, Xie Hui, Liu Yue.

With the opening round of European Championship qualifiers meaning English football’s top two tiers are without a domestic game, West Ham United Manager Sam Allardyce will pick a Celebrity XI made up of ex-professional footballers, international sportsmen, Olympians and television personalities. Ade Akinbiyi and Luther Blissett will represent Prostate Cancer UK as ambassadors for the event as well as taking the field for the Celebrity XI.

Big Sam said: “The Men United v Prostate Cancer message is something we should all take notice of. I like a challenge, so when [Morecambe Chairman] Peter McGuigan asked me to get involved I was delighted to take part in such a historic occasion.

“It’s also good to see the centre-halves union well represented with Jimbo and Fan also managing on the day. We’ll put on a good show for a great charity and I’m sure the good people of Morecambe and surrounding areas will come and support us.”

Our own Jim Bentley will player-manage a Morecambe Legends XI and will be joined by members of the 1995 and 2007 promotion squads.

Jim said: “It will be great to see some of the boys back here at the Globe. I wasn’t around in 1995 but the way the fans talk about those characters like Paul Burns, Robbie Armstrong, John Norman and Ian Cain, makes me think that the day will be special and not to be missed.

“I’ve also got a few ‘friends’ coming from 2007 and I’m hoping they’ll have some legs to play against Shanghai Clever and Celebrity XI. It’s a great event for a great cause, but as always it’s one we want to win.”

ChiefExecutive of Prostate Cancer UK Owen Sharp said: “We are looking forward to teaming up with Morecambe and Shanghai Clever FC for this very special football event.

“Up and down the country our work within football is really gathering momentum and it’s great to see a club rooted in its community like Morecambe want to make a difference to men’s health, notjust on behalf of its own fans, and all men across the country – but actually all over the world.

“This will be a history-making occasion with some big names convening at the fittingly-named Globe Arena and as the football family continues to grow under the Men United umbrella we can truly make a lasting difference to men’s health.”

The Men United v Prostate Cancer campaign was launched at a breakfast briefing at The Football League HQ on January 24th with comedian Bill Bailey assuming the role of team manager.

.online testBig names from the world of show business including Stephen Fry, Sir Michael Parkinson, Ray Winstone and Damian Lewis, together with England sporting icons Michael Owen, Les Ferdinand and Will Carling, have all signed up to Men United which has now got a squad of more than 185,000 members. To sign up all you need to do is do a simple

If you have concerns about prostate cancer please call Prostate Cancer UK's confidential Helpline on 0800 074 8383 or visit www.prostatecanceruk.org. The helpline is free to landlines, staffed by specialist nurses, and open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday with late opening until 8pm on Wednesdays.